Hybrid Electric Vehicles An Evaluation Essay
A growing dependence on imported oil, along with a heightened concern about the environment, has led to my increased interest in electric cars as an alternative to traditional gas-powered automobiles. True electric vehicles do not seem to achieve the requirements of the American car-buying public because of their high cost, which can be up to $30,000 or more for a compact car (Motavalli 2). Battery systems for electric vehicles are improving, but with their limited range of travel, they are still not feasible for most people. In addition, I believe that the average person making the decision to purchase environmentally friendly vehicles would demand that those vehicles be comfortable, attractive, convenient, and affordable to purchase and maintain. Newly available automotive technology, known as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), appears to fill these requirements. Hybrid power systems were conceived as a way to compensate for the shortfall in battery technology (Office of Transportation Technologies, HEV program). Hybrid electric vehicles recharge as you drive, get approximately double the miles per gallon of gas than current vehicles (Toyota, technology) and can be refueled at any gas station. Each hybrid vehicl
The Prius has been sold in Japan since 1997 (Motavalli 3), but has only recently been available in the United States. Your Next Car? A New Generation of Clean Cars is Coming to a Showroom Near You. When I sat in the driver's seat of the Honda Insight, it felt small and insubstantial, which led me to question the safety and durability of this car. Since much of the driving an average person in the Seattle area does is in heavy traffic and city driving conditions, the higher mileage rating in the city is a benefit. While the Toyota Prius has a slightly lower EPA mileage rating of 50 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway than the Honda Insight, I believe it is more likely to be widely accepted because it is larger then the Insight and thus more appealing to the environmentally aware family person. The ability of the electric motor to recharge the battery means that the Prius never needs to be externally recharged and has a driving range of between 536 miles on the highway and 619 miles in the city on one tank of gas. The standard display panel allows continuous monitoring of the energy efficiency at work (Toyota, details, technology). The Prius will comfortably hold a family of five and has the power to perform well in passing and up-hill driving conditions (Toyota, details, specs). There are currently only two hybrid electric vehicles on the U. The Honda Insight is a two-seat sporty car that has earned the best EPA mileage rating in history, rated at 61 miles per gallon in the city and 68 miles per gallon on the highway (Honda 6). Cost, technology, and safety are, of course, not the only criteria considered when making a vehicle purchase. In addition, I believe that people who are looking for a sports car are not the same people who will make environmental and fuel efficiency a priority over looks and power. e will produce thousands fewer pounds of pollutants than the vehicles currently on the road.
Common topics in this essay:
Toyota Corolla,
,
Honda Insight,
Technologies HEV,
Toyota Prius,
Defense Council,
Department Energy,
Corolla Prius,
honda insight,
miles gallon,
toyota prius,
hybrid electric,
electric vehicles,
electric motor,
toyota details,
gas engine,
hybrid electric vehicles,
details specs,
driving conditions,
resources defense council,
Resources Defense,
Insight Brochure,
toyota details specs,
council cars tomorrow,
defense council cars,
|
Acceptance Essays
